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Sunday, May 30, 2010

I recently finished The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham, published in the 20s. I enjoyed the book because of how the main character, Kitty Fane, changes through the story. A selfish, unfaithful wife, Kitty is taken to rural China where her husband is researching a cholera epidemic and trying to find ways to save the people there. She begins to help at the orphanage there, and through the love of the nuns and orphans, she is changed and begins to see the world in a different light. The book overall isn't very quotable, but there are a few lines that are very beautiful. Here below are some quotes from the book, most of them by the character of the Mother Superior.

Side Note: If you have seen the movie, it is very different than the book. Just FYI.

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"'It is a great misfortune to have a heart,' said Kitty, with a smile.
'It is a great good fortune to consecrate that heart to the love of Jesus Christ, [said Mother Superior].'"

"There is only one way to win hearts and that is to make oneself like unto those of whom one would be loved." - Mother Superior

"Remember that it is nothing to do your duty, that is demanded of you and is no more meritorious than to wash your hands when they are dirty; the only thing that counts is the love of duty; when love and duty are one, then grace is in you and you will enjoy a happiness which passes all understanding." - Mother Superior